Method and apparatus for displaying help screen information for measurement device

• US 20020087279A1
• Filed: 01/09/2002
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Hall, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/68
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/02 for displaying measured electric variables in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A method and apparatus for displaying help screen information for measurement devices. The invention includes a measurement device for generating measurement information, and a display coupled with the measurement device for displaying the measurement information. A control panel has a plurality of keys each coupled with the measurement device for controlling a respective operation of the measurement device.

A timer is coupled with the control panel for sensing duration of key activation during which a user activates any of the keys of the control panel. A controller is coupled with the display for displaying help screen information in context of the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is greater than a predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a measurement device for generating measurement information;

a display coupled with the measurement device for displaying the measurement information;

a control panel having a plurality of keys each coupled with the measurement device for controlling a respective operation of the measurement device;

a timer coupled with the control panel for sensing duration of key activation during which a user activates any of the keys of the control panel; and

a controller coupled with the control panel and the timer for initiating the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is less than a predetermined amount of time;

wherein the controller is coupled with the display for displaying help screen information in context of the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is greater than the predetermined amount of time.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted for causing the display to cease displaying the help screen information when the user deactivates the key.

3. A method comprising the steps of:

generating measurement information using a measurement device;

displaying the measurement information using a display for coupled with the measurement device;

controlling a respective operation of the measurement device using a control panel having a plurality of keys each coupled with the measurement device;

sensing duration of key activation during which a user activates any of the keys of the control panel;

initiating the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is less than a predetermined amount of time; and

displaying help screen information in context of the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is greater than the predetermined amount of time.

4. A method as in claim 3 further comprising the step of ceasing display of the help screen information when the user deactivates the key.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a measurement device for receiving one or more input signals and generating measurement information related to said input signals;

a display coupled with the measurement device for displaying the measurement information;

a control panel having a plurality of keys each coupled with the measurement device for controlling a respective operation of the measurement device; and

a controller coupled with the control panel and including a timer function for sensing duration of key activation during which a user activates a key of the plurality of keys of the control panel;

wherein the controller initiates the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of the key activation is less than a predetermined amount of time; and

wherein the controller is coupled with the display for displaying help screen information in context of the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of the key activation is greater than the predetermined amount of time.